The Denver Foundation

CEDS Finance helps immigrant, refugee, and other small business owners access capital that is often out of reach through traditional financing. Its Murabahas, an Islamic-compliant lending product, are one example of how it’s creating more inclusive pathways to business financing.

We're proud to support their work through our impact investment, Community Grants Program, and donor-supported grants as they expand economic opportunity in our communities.

Learn more about their impact and our longstanding partnership:

CEDS Finance invests in entrepreneurs who are excluded from traditional financing The story of an impact investment with The Denver Foundation and CEDS Finance, making business lending more inclusive and accessible.

70 organizations received $2.7 M in grants through our Community Grants Program. These organizations are working to advance economic opportunity, environment and climate, housing, and youth well-being across the seven Metro Denver counties.

From organizing residents around a community-led agenda to improve air quality in Aurora, North Denver, and Commerce City to providing paid workforce training in warehouse operations, forklift certification, industrial sewing, and urban agriculture, these organizations are making a meaningful impact on our community.

Learn more about these organizations:
here. https://denverfoundation.org/2026/06/the-denver-foundation-awards-2-7m-in-community-grants/

Thanks, Sen. Katie Wallace and Rep. Rick Taggart, who joined our Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Naomi Amaha, to reflect on the 2026 legislative session.

We discussed specific policy proposals and issues, including the state budget, TABOR, and HB26-1274, which is a bill we supported that ensures more equitable and timely funding for nonprofit organizations.

See the full recap and additional resources: https://conta.cc/4uhKwZn

We've been grateful to work alongside Councilwoman Sarah Parady (Sarah for Denver) on affordable housing, community development, policy engagement, and more.

From advocating for our Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund to helping nonprofits and community members navigate and engage in the policymaking process, Sarah has consistently shown up for our communities. She's a strong supporter of the nonprofit sector, helping organizations respond to emerging needs across Denver.

Thank you, Parady, for your commitment to our city. Your leadership, compassion, and dedication have made a meaningful impact on the lives of so many Denver residents.

Great to see Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI) CEO Jessica Sveen on this Axios panel sharing insights on how entrepreneurs are navigating our city's business landscape. https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/axios-live-denver-business-growth

RMMFI is a recipient of our Community Grants Program, Civic Fabric Fund, Capacity Building Fund, and impact investments.

Its work helps expand economic opportunity by supporting entrepreneurs as they build and grow local businesses.

We were interested in hearing how candidates for governor plan to support youth mental health at the Gubernatorial Forum on Youth Mental Health hosted by , led by Children’s Hospital Colorado and Healthier Colorado.

Strong leadership on youth well-being is vital to ensure kids and families in Colorado can access the mental health care, community support, and resources they need.

Mind Our Future Colorado is uniting communities across the state to demand bold solutions for child and youth mental health. We're proud to support Children's Hospital Colorado and this coalition through our Civic Fabric Fund.

Learn more about their work: https://www.mindourfuturecolorado.com/

Check out our open grant opportunities.

These grants are made possible by generous donors who support various causes, from performing arts in African-American communities to animal welfare.

https://denverfoundation.org/funding-opportunities/

Life-changing encounters rarely announce themselves. For Jaclyn Yelich, it arrived quietly in the passenger seat of a car, a $20 bill handed to a stranger by a woman who couldn't really afford it but gave it anyway. For Frank Anello, it came through an encounter with a refugee family living across town, a relationship that turned years of plans to do good work overseas into something much more urgent and close to home.

The world has come to Denver, and for the past 15 years, Project Worthmore, Frank Anello, and Jaclyn Yelich have been here to greet them.

Read more: https://denverfoundation.org/2026/05/some-projects-are-worth-more/

Photos:
Frank and Carolyn Anello, founders of Project Worthmore
Jaclyn Yelich and Frank Anello in front of Project Worthmore

We always walk away feeling uplifted after connecting with our giving circles—and after seeing members of different giving circles connect with and learn from each other.

These groups support our Colorado community in so many unique ways. Thanks for everything you do, and to everyone who joined our giving circle event.